What does the Camino mean to me?

What does the Camino mean to me?  It is near impossible to put into words the intangible magic of a journey that requires such physical and mental strength.  It will test you,  it will break you,  and then help you put yourself back together- minus all the crap.  But,  only if you let it.  Only if you are open and receptive.
It is a journey where your age,  your nationality,  your gender,  your religion,  nor your socio-economic matter.  We are all just pilgrims walking each other home.  All supporting each other.  Opening up to each other,  listening to each other.  Sharing laughter,  tears,  words of support and encouragement and truly learning from each other.

In the simplicity of the daily routine we find a sense of comfort and peace.  We wake every morning,  dress,  maybe get breakfast but many times it is miles later,  then we walk.  We arrive,  check in while keeping everything crossed that we get a lower bunk.  Unpack the essentials, make up our bed/ sort our sleeping bags etc and then shower. Hand washing our clothes becomes therapeutic. Hanging that which does not fully dry from our back pack becomes the norm- it really doesn't matter if it's your towel or your underwear. 
We plan our evening meal- frequently this is cooking a meal in a crowded kitchen with ten or more pilgrims.... this usually leads to a communally shared cooking experience.

Then it's catch up on journal writing for the day,  plan the next days destination with other pilgrims,  often changing your destination in order to keep in touch with the people that have become your Camino family. You eagerly catch up on which pilgrims know the location and well being of people who have dropped behind our powered on ahead. You enquire about those with injuries and share medications and support.

Bed by 10pm at the latest as that's lights out across all albergues.

Snuggled in your sleeping bag, you listen  and laugh at the sounds of rustling sleeping bags,  snoring,  and hushed whispers, and the occasional sign of frustration at the noises. You hope for a peaceful night. 

The next day starts the same as the last.  The miles you walk may change,  the weather changes,  the scenery,  and the company,  but the routine provides a peaceful sense of calm and order. 

The irony is that when you contemplate taking a rest day or staying in a private room,  you actually miss it all.  You get an extreme sense of being disconnected from it all,  and from the people who have become your Camino kin.

On this Camino more than the last,  that true sense of a Camino family is so apparent.  The sparseness of accomodation the first few days, forces you together day after day and you soon establish friendships. Friendships where the depth of conversation goes much deeper than in everyday life. There are those in your camino family that you become protective of,  and those who equally become protective of you.  There is an incredible sense of comradery, and you know that these friendships will outlast the Camino.

Such is the sense of kinship that you never think twice about leaving your backpack by your bed open. There is a rare sense of respect of other peoples belongings. 

The Camino is in reality what you make of it.  Having walked in total 370 miles, for me it is my peaceful sanctuary that gives me the opportunity for clarity and to slow down and reset.Read more